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In a competitive real estate market like Chicago, high-quality photos are crucial to making a lasting impression on potential buyers. Real estate photography goes beyond simply taking pictures; it often involves meticulous editing to highlight the property’s best features. 

However, post-processing can be time-consuming, which is why many consider outsourcing this task. But is outsourcing real estate photo editing in Chicago worth it? 

Let’s explore the pros and cons, as well as the costs associated with this approach. We’ll also take a look at an even better and more affordable option for outsourcing real estate photo editing.

Why It Makes Sense to Outsource Photo Editing

Outsourcing real estate photo editing can help photographers free up valuable time to focus on what they do best—taking stunning property photos. 

Here are some compelling reasons why outsourcing your editing needs makes sense.

1. Time Efficiency

Editing real estate photos is a labor-intensive process that can take hours, depending on the number of images and the complexity of the edits. 

By outsourcing post-processing, real estate photographers can free up time to focus on shooting more properties, growing their business, or engaging in other high-value activities like marketing or client acquisition.

2. Image Consistency

Professional photo editors are trained to deliver consistent results, ensuring your photos maintain a polished and professional look. 

With a dedicated editor, real estate professionals can ensure maximum image quality and consistency every time.

This consistency can help establish your brand as a reliable photographer and make your portfolio stand out.

3. Access to Advanced Tools and Skills

While real estate photographers might have a good grasp of basic editing, specialized editing techniques such as:

Outsourcing ensures you’re working with experts who are well-versed in the latest editing software and trends, resulting in high-quality, market-ready images.

4. Scalability

As your business grows, you’ll likely need to handle more photo editing tasks. 

Outsourcing allows you to scale your operations without needing to hire in-house staff or invest in expensive software and training. 

You can outsource as many or as few images as needed, making it a flexible solution that adapts to your business needs.

But with so many options available, how do you choose the right partner for your editing needs? 

Let’s take a look at whether outsourcing to an editing service in Chicago is worth it.

Is Outsourcing Your Photo Editing in Chicago Worth It?

Real estate photo editing in Chicago plays a crucial role in the city’s competitive real estate market, where high-quality images can make or break a property listing. 

Local photo editing services are well-versed in enhancing property images to highlight key architectural features and the unique character of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.

By utilizing advanced editing techniques such as sky replacement, HDR blending, and virtual staging, these services help real estate photographers deliver stunning, professional photos that appeal to potential buyers.

But is it the best choice for your business? Let’s explore the pros and cons of outsourcing your editing to Chicago.

Pros of Outsourcing Photo Editing in Chicago

Here are 4 main benefits of outsourcing your real estate photo editing needs in Chicago.

1. High-Quality Services

Chicago is home to skilled photo editors who understand the intricacies of real estate photography. 

By outsourcing locally, you can expect a high level of professionalism, as editors in the area are familiar with the architecture and style preferences specific to the market.

2. Fast Turnaround Times

Outsourcing real estate photo editing in Chicago often results in faster turnaround times due to geographical proximity. 

You’re more likely to get your photos edited and returned promptly, which is essential in a fast-paced real estate market.

3. Better Communication

Working with local photo editors means you’re in the same time zone, which makes communication easier. 

Whether through phone calls, emails, or even face-to-face meetings, you can quickly address any changes or feedback. 

This results in smoother project execution and fewer misunderstandings.

4. Boosting Local Economy

By hiring local talent, you support the Chicago economy and build valuable business relationships within the city. 

This could open doors for future partnerships and collaborations, especially as the real estate industry is very network-driven.

Have You Ever Thought To

Outsource Photo Editing?

Try it today with 10 free edits from three professional photo editors.

Cons of Outsourcing Photo Editing in Chicago

As with all good things, there are also drawbacks to consider when outsourcing your real estate photo editing in Chicago. Let’s have a look at 3 of them.

1. Higher Costs

Outsourcing locally in Chicago can be more expensive compared to using international editing services. 

Photo editing rates in Chicago can range from $5 to $15 per image, depending on the complexity of the edits. 

In contrast, outsourcing to countries like the Philippines or India might cost less than half that price. If you’re working with a tight budget, this might be a significant drawback.

For example, PhotoUp’s basic editing starts at the low cost of $0.50 per image (for dedicated editing), saving real estate photographers a lot of money.

2. Limited Availability

Given the demand for high-quality real estate photo editing in Chicago, many top editors or firms may be booked out, especially during peak real estate seasons. 

This could lead to delays or difficulty finding a reliable editor at short notice.

3. Risk of Oversaturation

With so many photographers in Chicago using local editing services, there is a risk of ending up with photos that have a similar editing style to your competition. 

This could make it harder to stand out unless you can find an editor with a unique approach that complements your photography style.

Real Estate Photo Editing Costs in Chicago

As mentioned earlier, the cost of outsourcing real estate photo editing in Chicago typically ranges between $5 to $15 per image, depending on the type of edits required. 

Here are typical costs for editing in Chicago::

  • Basic edits such as color correction, exposure adjustments, and cropping might fall within the $5 to $8 range.
  • And advanced edits like sky replacement, virtual staging, or decluttering could range from $10 to $39 or more per image

If you are working on a high-volume project, some editors or companies offer bulk pricing or discounted rates for larger orders. 

While these prices are competitive compared to other U.S. cities, outsourcing to countries with lower labor costs like PhotoUp could save more than 50%.

Let’s take a closer look at PhotoUp – a better and more affordable option for getting your photos professionally edited.

Have You Ever Thought To

Outsource Photo Editing?

Try it today with 10 free edits from three professional photo editors.

A Better & More Affordable Real Estate Photo Editing Service

Editing services in Chicago might initially seem like a good option with their access to local talents and familiarity with the architecture and style preferences specific to the market, but PhotoUp offers even more value and tailored advantages.

PhotoUp is a trusted brand with a highly skilled workforce of editors in the Philippines and local-based US support, making them a much more reliable and affordable option. 

Our team is well-versed in industry-specific standards and techniques, including:

  • HDR blending
  • Perspective correction
  • Sky replacement
  • Color correction
  • Exposure and brightness adjustments
  • Noise reduction
  • Advanced object removal
  • Day-to-dusk conversions and twilight editing
  • And much more!

Dedicated Real Estate Photo Editing

With PhotoUp, you can work with one or a team of dedicated editors directly to ensure that they understand your unique style and preferences. 

Browse Top Dedicated

Real Estate Photo Editors

Ready-to-hire editors for real estate photo editing, video editing, and more.

They will learn more and more about your photography style and business as they go and can also provide you with valuable feedback to make your photography truly shine.

In fact, dedicated editors provide the highest quality and most consistent edits with orders rated “Good” or “Amazing” over 99% of the time.

All things considered, it’s essential to find an editing service that suits your business’s needs and standards and to convey your expectations upfront.

Outsourcing allows you to take the time to capture the best shots and then have the photos edited to perfection. 

Incredible Value With Affordable Pricing 

PhotoUp’s pricing is unbeatable, starting at just $0.50 per image for dedicated editing and $1.50 for on-demand services. 

This is significantly lower than the average cost in Chicago, making it a perfect option for photographers looking to maximize their editing budget without compromising on quality.

Trusted by Industry Leaders 

PhotoUp has earned its place as an industry leader, trusted by professionals, and featured on renowned platforms like PFRE (Photography for Real Estate) and Shooting Spaces, as well as major news outlets like NBC, Fox News, USA Today, and CBS. 

When you work with PhotoUp, you know you’re partnering with a service trusted by the best in the business.

User-Friendly Platform 

Managing your edits has never been easier with PhotoUp’s intuitive photo management system

This all-in-one platform allows photographers to upload, track, and manage their images efficiently. You can communicate directly with the editing team, send feedback, and handle orders seamlessly.

Plus, with 24/6 US-based customer support, any revisions, special requests, or issues are handled promptly, giving you peace of mind throughout the entire process.

PhotoUp Offers More Than Just Photo Editing

On top of that, PhotoUp offers so much more than just photo editing! We are a complete real estate marketing partner with additional marketing tools such as:

This means you can get all your real estate photo editing and marketing needs met in one place, simplifying the process and ensuring consistency.

How to Get Started With PhotoUp

Getting started with PhotoUp is super easy!

All you need to do is sign up for a free PhotoUp account, and you’ll get access to our easy-to-use photo management system where you can upload and receive photos, send instructions, and give feedback.

It also allows you to manage team members and clients, store final images, and more.

PhotoUp Real Estate Photo Editing Uploader Demo

For more details, have a look at our real estate photo editing uploader demo:

It can’t be easier to get your real estate photography professionally edited in less than 24 hours!

Sign up for a free PhotoUp account and start outsourcing your real estate photo editing needs today!

Plus, when you sign up for an account, you’ll receive a bonus of 10 free credits you can use on any of our services. 

We hope this blog post answered the question of whether real estate photo editing in Chicago is worth it and presented you with an even better option. Before you go, you may also want to check out the following resources:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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